Yerevan, December 14, 2010
RESEARCH VISITS IN GERMANY: University of Regensburg and Georg-AugustUniversity Göttingen
Dear guests,
Dear colleagues,
I would like to briefly present my several research visits to German universities supported by
DAAD. Based on my personal experience, I can attest that the support from DAAD played a
decisive role in establishing me as a researcher.
My first short visit to Germany took place to the Institute of Botany in 1993, University of
Regensburg by invitation of Prof. Dr. Andreas Bresinsky (Director of Institute of Botany,
University of Regensburg). The main aspects of my work in Regensburg were focused on
morphological studies of mycelial culture collections of several Basidiomycetes fungi and
inclusion of new molecular methods to measure nuclear DNA quantity in several species
belonging to phylogenetically complex genus Hypholoma.
I would like to particularly mention the cooperation with Prof. Dr. Ursula Kües from GeorgAugust-University Göttingen (Section Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology,
Büsgen-Institute, University of Göttingen) which started in 2001 and allowed to create an
international research team with involvement of Master and PhD students from both sides. This
collaboration is continuing since and allowing us to realize different expertise together. Since
2003, Dr. Karol Szafranski from Department of Genome Analysis, University of Jena (currently
working in Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena) has joined this work.
In 2002 and 2008, my two research proposals received financial assistance from DAAD to study
biotechnologically important group of Coprinoid mushrooms in the University of Göttingen.
German-Armenian research collaboration was additionally supported by NATO Reintegration
grant (#980764) and DAAD Technical grant (#548.104401.174) in 2004-2006 and 2004-2005,
respectively, as well as by several grants from other international organizations (ESF, ISTC,
WFCC, BMS, ANSEF, etc.).
Research collaboration with University of Göttingen was mainly focused on the study of
molecular taxonomy, biological (morphological, ecological, physiological) characteristics and
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medicinal
properties
of
biotechnologically important
group
of
Coprinoid
mushrooms
(Basidiomycetes) or Coprini.
As a results of our research using molecular methods and nuclear rDNA sequencing data two
new species Coprinopsis strossmayeri and Coprinellus radians were originally described for
Armenian micobiota.
The particular research activity was implying studies of biology and life cycle, as well as
medicinal properties of Coprini with the involvement of new genetic approaches. Investigation of
morphological and growth characteristics of mycelia under different culture conditions (static,
submerged) using different nutrient media was performed at the wide range of pH (3-12) and
temperature (5-37oC) to reveal biotechnological potential of these fungi. Several morphological
characteristics of mycelia (hyphal clamps, cystidia, loops, presence and type of anamorphs,
hyphal branching, etc.) were originally described in studied collections. Particular attention was
paid on characteristics of complex life cycle (holomorph) of Coprini species, particularly
morphology and potential pathogenicity of anamorphs (asexual stage) causing fungal infections
in humans. In our experimental conditions, two anamorphs (none sporulating Ozonium and
sporulating Hormographiella) were described in different species of Coprini from different clades
for the first time.
Our studies on bioactive metabolites and enzymes (proteases, laccases), as well as medicinal
properties (antifungal, antibacterial, mitogenic/regenerative, fibrinolytic, antiprotozoal) of Coprini
revealed its biotechnological potential and perspectives of usage to develop novel biotechproducts with mushroom origin.
Analysis of morphological, ecological and physiological characteristics of Coprini collections
was performed according to recent phylogenetic classification of the former genus Coprinus
Pers. (group of Coprini mushrooms), currently divided into four clades Coprinus, Coprinopsis,
Coprinellus and Parasola: the first within the family Agaricaceae and the others within the family
of Psatyrellaceae. Data of our collaborative research are completing and supporting modern
molecular classification of this group of fungi.
The obtained results during 10 years of research cooperation with Prof. Dr. U. Kües were
published in 25 publications, reported in 23 conference papers/abstracts and 17 oral/poster
presentations at the international scientific meetings held in several countries worldwide
(Armenia, 2007, 2008, 2010; Australia, 2006; Germany, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008; Japan, 2004;
Russia, 2003, 2005, 2007; Netherlands, 2004; Slovenia, 2007; Spain 2005, 2007; 2009; USA,
2005.).
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In 2004, one research paper appeared in the international “Journal of Basic Microbiology”.
Currently, two manuscripts are in stage of submission and other three papers are in
preparation. In all our publications and presentations, support from DAAD was gratefully
acknowledged.
As a result of a long-term collaboration with University of Göttingen, publication of a book
“Biology and biotechnological potential of Coprinoid mushrooms” with Atlas of original
micro- and macrophotos is in progress.
The outcome of German-Armenian cooperation allowed establishing a newly equipped
University Research Lab (URL) of Fungal Biology and Biotechnology at the Yerevan State
University in 2005 supported by the German Embassy in Armenia. More importantly, URL
allowed introducing new Master courses (Fungal Genetics and Cytology, Fungal Biotechnology
and Fungal Phylogeny) at the Faculty of Biology and publish two introductory Textbooks, as well
as involve students in ongoing international research collaboration between FBBL and several
European and North American Universities.
Further research collaboration between Armenian and German Universities and the obtained
data will be significant in the general study of Armenian fungal biodiversity and promote
fundamental research in the fields of Fungal Biology and Biotechnology and Molecular
Phylogeny in Armenia. This cooperation will support not only scientific but also cultural
exchange assisting in the integration of Armenian scientists into European scientific community.
Thank you for your attention!
Professor Susanna Badalyan
Yerevan State University, Armenia
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